Multiple-phonograph control



June 26, 1951 L, L ANDRES' MULTIPLE-PHONOGRAPH CONTROL Filed April 16; 1949 FIG.

FIG. 2.

l 15b I Patented June 26, 1951 MULTIPLE-PHONOGRAPH CONTROL Lloyd J. Andries, Chicago, Ill., assignor vto Permo, Incorporated, Chicago, `Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application April 16, 1949, Serial No. 87,999

This invention relates Vin general to phonographsand more particularly to an electric means for controlling two or more' record changers for sequence operation.

Because of the limited number of records, usu- 'ally ten, which may be played on a conventional stacked `type record changer and because it is often desirable to have continuous reproduction over a longer period of time, this invention provides automatic means whereby two or more changers will automatically operate in sequence, thus extending the playing time in proportion to the number of record changers used.

A principal object of the invention is the provision of an electric control device connected to one: or more record changers whereby the manual initiation of the device will cause the rst -re'cord changer to play its normal complement of Vrecords and upon the completion of its last vrecord to automatically start a lsecond record changer to complete the play of its records and likewise automatically stop.

A further object of the invention is the provision of Ya step by step rotary relay connected to a switch means in each record changer whereby upon manual initiation thereof each record changer will consecutively play a predetermined complement of records.

Another object of the invention isv the provision of electric control means for operating two or more recordl changers in` sequencel provided with an indicator showing which particular record on each record changer is playing.,

These and other objects of the invention will be apparent in one embodiment of the invention described and shown in the appended specification and drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of two conventional record players connected to a control device.

Fig. 2 isa schematic diagram of the control device and circuits connecting two record changers;4

Fig; 1 illustrates two conventional-stackedtype record `changers and 2, each of which, when `manually loaded with a predetermined plurality of records, will' play each record in sequence `when energized. Record changers of this character automatically cycle to release a subsequent record upon the completion of play of' each record'.

A control device 3 is connected to a source of power through conductors l! and is provided with "sound output conductors 5 and t which are normally connectedl to an amplifier and loud speaker, not shown. Conductors 'l-8 and 9 16 are connected to eachrecord changer l and 2 respective- 3 Claims. (Cl. 17:9-100.4.)

ly.` The control device is manually operable by a knob Il to which a pointer l2 is attached indieating an oli position and a plurality of other positions corresponding to particular records being played.

Referring to Fig. 2 the dotted outlines include the electrical components of each record changer I and 2 shown Fig. 1. Each record changer is driven by an electric motor |3a and I3?) respectively.

Cam members Ma and Mb are adapted to operate through a predetermined movement during each cut-oli cycle of each record changer. A pulsing switch having blades a land Ilia is positioned for operation by cam Ha and adapted to momentarily close during the cut-ofi cyle oi record changer I. Likewise a pulsing switch having blades lib and lb'is `positioned for operationby cam Mb and adapted to momentarily close during each cut-orf cycle of record changer 2.

Each record changer is provided with a conventional pickup Ila and I'lb respectively which have terminals [8a- 19a and I-lb-IQZ). The control device consists essentially of a stepping relay having a toothed `wheel 2D coaxially secured to shaft 2| to which the control knob Il and the pointer I2 are attached, A detent arm 22 is pivotally secured at one end and urged into contact with the teeth of wheel by spring 23. A pivotally mounted armature pawl 24 is normally urged into position shown by spring 25.l

An electro-magnet 26 having terminals 2l and 278 is positioned to attract pawl 24 and adapted to advance wheel 2Q a movement of one tooth when momentarily energized. Control cams 29,

30 and 3l are secured to'shaft 2l and adapted to be driven thereby. A pickup transfer switch having blades 32, 33 and 34 is positioned to be operated by cam 2S. An on-off switch having blades 35 and 36 is positioned to be operated by cam 39 and a transfer switch having blades 31, 38 and 33 isl positioned to be operated by cam 3l,

A conductor 40 is connected to one side of a source of electric power L1 to magnet terminal 28 and to one terminal of each motor l3a and i311. The remaining terminal 2'! of magnet 25 is connected by conductor A! to switch blades ld and leb. Switch blade ia is connected by conductor 42 to the remaining terminal of motor i3d vand to switch blade 39. Switch blade i519 is connected by conductor 43 to the remaining terminal of motor I3b and to switch blade 31. Switch blade 38 is connected to switch blade 36 byconductor 44. Switch blade 35 is connected to the remaining side of a source of power Lz by conductor 45. Pickup terminal Ia is connected to switch blader 32 by conductor 46. Sound conductor 5 is connected to pickup terminals |801. and |8b. Switch terminal 33 is connected to the remaining sound conductor 6.

The cams 29, 30 and 3| and their related switches are shown for the purpose of simplification and it is obvious to those skilled in the art that rotary type commutator switches may be alternately used to obtain the identical roperation.

In operation and assuming that ten records are placed in each record changer and 2 and the control knob is manually positioned at oil Yas shown, then all elements will be in the position shown Fig. 2. When the control knob is moved to position the shaft 2| will move cams 29, 30 and 3| to operate their corresponding switches and will be temporarily held in this second record and simultaneously and momentarily closeV the switch blades of the pulsing switch |5a and |6a by virtue of the motion of cam Ida, thus momentarily energizing electromagnet 26 to advance wheel 2D an additional tooth, thus beginning the Vplay of number 2 record,

`with pointer |2 indicating number 2 record on the dial shown Fig. 1.

Record changer I will continue operation until all the records thereon are played, at which time Athe cams 29 and 3| will operate their corresponding switches. The movement of switch blade 33 will transfer the sound output from pickup Ilar to pickup lib. The movement of switch blade 38 will de-energize motor |3a and energize motor |317, which will result in the playing of the iirst record in record changer 2. Upon the completion of the playing of the rst record in record changer 2, the automatic cut-oil cycle will release the second record and simultaneously operate cam hib to momentarily close switch blades |5b and |6b which will momentarily energize magnet 26 to advance wheel 2|) a distance of one tooth. This automatic cycling will continue until the completion of the last record in record changer 2, at which time the shaft 22 Will move cam 3G to automatically open on-oir switch 35'-36 to de-energize motor |3b and thus stop the operation of the device.

It is apparent that the cams Ma. and |4b may be substituted for reciprocating parts readily available in most record changers which operate only during the cut-off cycle of the record changer. It will also be apparent to those skilled in this art that additional record changers may -be caused to operate in sequence by providing a greater number of teeth to stepping wheel 20 and providing proper contour to cams 29 and 3| for proper sequence of operation. It will under these circumstances be necessary to add additional parallel connected switches for transferring the sound output of the pickups to sound conductors 5 and 6 instead of using the singlepole double throw switch as shown.

Having described my invention I claim:

4 1. In combination, a plurality of record changers each of which are adapted to play and change a predetermined number of records, each of said changers having an electric pulsing means operative to produce a pulse with each change of a record, pick-up means and sound reproducing Y means responsive to each pick-up means, stepmeans responsive to pulses from the pulsing means of said onechanger to operate said stepping means together with said means for operating said switch means a predetermined number of positions whereby a selected number of records of said one changer are played and means operative after a predetermined number of pulses to shift the control of said stepping means to the pulsing means of another of said changers whereby a predetermined numberV of records of said other changer are played. i

2. In combination, a plurality of record changers each of which are adapted to play and change a predetermined number of records, each of said changers having an electric pulsing means operaone position by each pulse, switch means for each of said record changers operated by means in contact with said member, a source of electric energy, circuit means connecting said source to each of saidY changers, to said stepping means and to said switch means, means upon manual movement of said stepping means t0 its rst pozsition for operating one of said switch means to energize one record changer and de-energize the remaining record changers, means responsive to pulses from the pulsing means of said one changer to operate said stepping means together with said means in contact with said member a predetermined number of positions whereby a selected number of records of said one changer are played and means operative after a predetermined number of pulses to shift the control of said stepping means together with said means in contact with said member to the pulsing means of another of said changers whereby a predetermined number of records of said other changer are played.

3. In combination, a plurality of record changers each of which are adapted to play and change a predetermined number of records, each of said changers having an electric pulsing means operative to produce a pulse with each change of a record, pick-up means and sound reproducing means responsive to each pick-up means, electro-magnetically operated stepping means having a plurality of positions, said stepping means comprising a shaft member adapted to be advanced one position by each pulse, cam means xed upon said member, switch means for each of said record changers operated by said cam means, a source of electric energy, circuit means connecting said source to each o! said changerauto said stepping means and to each of said switch means, means upon manual movement of saidjjstfpping means to its rst position for rotating saidcam means an amount sucient to operate one of said switch means to energize one recordfchang'er and deenergize the remaining record changers, means responsive to pulses from the pulsing means of said one changer to operate said stepping means together with said cam means a predetermined number of positions whereby a selected number of records of said one changer are played, means to shift the control of said stepping means to n.

the pulsing means of another of said changers and to further rotate said cam means to operate the switch means of said other changer and means responsive to the pulses from the pulsing means of said other changer to operate said stepping means and to rotate said cam means a predetermined number of positions whereby ai predetermined number of records of said other changer are played.

LLOYD J. ANDRES.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of vrecord in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

